Current events in the words of the students of Vinod Gupta School of Management, IIT Kharagpur

#Tennisatitsbest

The following article is based on my own interpretation of the said events and/ or publicly available information. Any material borrowed from published and unpublished sources has been appropriately referenced. I will bear the sole responsibility for anything that is found to have been copied or misappropriated or misrepresented in the following post.

For someone who isn’t even too much into sports, it was an incredible moment, which transcended common logic and belief. On the evening of 29th January, a 35 year-young Roger Federer had just won his 18th Grand Slam at Melbourne, beating his biggest nemesis Rafael Nadal in a thrilling 5-setter. This was an awe-inspiring achievement especially in an individual sport like tennis, where players often reach their twilight years as they touch the age of 30.

For 5 years, millions of his fans have waited with bated breath for No.18 over 5 semi-finals and 3 final Grand Slam appearances. His shot making coupled with magical elegance always gave us that hope even though it seemed irrational. The grace and finesse in his movement on the court have always made us believe that God fabricated him with utmost prudence. Federer spells magic with his Wilson wand every time he’s on the tennis court. No wonder he’s the brand ambassador for brands like Rolex, which positions itself as a luxurious, classy and perfect timekeeper or a Nike which picks out the best athletes in the world of sport. His off-court exploits aren’t few as well. He has his own Roger Federer foundation to help disadvantaged children and to promote their access to education and sports. He was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2006. For a figure, so popular, larger than life, his humility and modesty (a rarity in modern day sport) is a testimony to the kind of human being he is. His peers have voted him Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award for a record 12 years.

As with any other player, Federer boasts of a cool, supportive entourage. Outside the sport even, he’s so cool that he has produced 2 sets of adorable identical twins with Mirka, his wife. He is the perfect definition of “perfect”!

“The more you love, the harder you play”

The love for the sport has made him what he is now. It is difficult to imagine the sport without him. It is difficult to stop fangirling over him. It will be difficult to get over him.

Roger Federer is unquestionably the undisputed G.O.A.T. (Greatest Of All Time).